Caution As To The Admission Of Candidates.

either have leit the room or opposed his entrance , which would have been productive of unpleasantness . The other case is a singular one , Avhich presents greater difficulties , inasmuch as another Grand Lodge is involved . A gentleman offered himself as a candidate to several , perhaps half-a-dozen , lodges under English Constitutionby all of which he was rejected

, , or rather his name Avas withdrawn under a certainty that he would be black-balled , on grounds of defective character , whether ri g htly or not I do not undertake to say ; indeed , I was rather inclined to take a favourable vieAV of the case . Determined , as I know he was , to become a Mason , he presented himself to a

lodge Avorking under Irish warrant iu the same town , where no such refusal being encountered he AA'as initiated , passed , and raised . NOAV mark the result . He obtained Masonic privileges at much less cost , the fees being lower than in lodges under English Constitution , and not only so , but he afterwards claimed and obtained admission as a visitor to the English lodges , of which he had failed to obtain membership in a constitutional manner . Again , in

the same toAvn there is a loclge working under authority from the Grand Orient du rite Ecossais " in France , the formation of which produced much unpleasantness three or four years ago , is still the ground of an uncomfortable feeling , ancl caused the suspension of all English Masons who joined it . which suspension is still in force ; but though so long a

time has elapsed , no further measures have been taken , either by the Prov . G . M . or the Grand Lodge , which , on an appeal , sanctioned the course he had adopted . Well , some of these brethren have been admitted as members of the Irish Lodge , under the direct sanction of the Grand Lodge of IrelandAvhence

, an opinion on the question Avas obtained . Thus the two Grand authorities , having an authority in the same district , are working on different princi ples , and in this instance have clashed . I clo not Avish to blame the Grand Lodge of Ireland for taking a different viewbut it appears to me that if a forei authority

, gn he permitted to exist on English territory , tho two Grand Lodges ought to agree on a similar course of action , and if they cannot do so , then other measures should he taken .

Every genuine Mason must rejoice at the step taken b y the R . W . the Grand Master , to which I alluded at the beginning of this letter , and be anxious to see his suggestions carried into effect . In my opinion , however , it loses much of its force , Avhen I bear in mind the support which he ancl other Masonic authorities have given to the continuance in

office of a Prov . G . M ., who is repudiated by nearly all the members of his province on moral grounds , and the difficulties Avhich have been encountered Avhen attempts have been made to obtain an official inquiry with a view to his removal , so as positively to stifle it . Many of the circumstances were detailed in

correspondence in your pages last March , April , May , and June . One Office Bearer in Grand Lodge of great influence has repeatedly admitted the unfitness of this Prov . G . M . for the place , in conversations with several Masons of the province , bufc still persists in keeping him there , to the great injury of tho character of the Craft among non-Masons . Yours faithfully and fraternally , Nov . 3 , 1866 . p . M

Ar01101

THE MASONIC MIREOR . * * AU communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C .

Masonic Mem.

MASONIC MEM .

PKOTETCIAII QUAKD LODGE or WIETSIIIEE . —The E . W . the Prov . 'G . JI . of this province , Bro . Lord Methuen , lias appointed a Provincial Grand Loclge Meeting to be held at the New Hall , Chippenham , on Tuesday , tho 20 th inst . at 2 p . m .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

WOOLWICH . —Florence Nightingale Lodge ( No . 706 ) . —This distinguished lodge , composed principally of the officers of the garrison for its members , held the usual monthly meeting- at the Freemasons' Hall , William-street , on the 2 nd inst . Bro . G . Morri ? , AV . M ., presided . One gentleman Avas initiated , in au able manner . Several were proposed for next meeting , both as joining members and candidates for initiation . The loclge was closed until Friday , December 7 th . The brethren partook

of the usual first-class dinner at De Grey's Freemason ' s Tavern . There were two visitors present . LODGE or FINSBTTBY ( NO . S 61 . )—This influential lodge met on Friday , the 2 Gth ult ., when Bro . T . G . Purely , the W . M . ( son of the late regretted Bro . J . Purely , one of the founders ) , most creditably conferred the third degree on various candidates . There were numerous visitors , and at the banquet a very handsome silver cup was presented to Bro . Mackiey , P . M ., as a token

of the brethren ' s esteem , and in consideration of his valuable and energetic services whilst in the chair . UNIVEKSITY LODGE' ( NO . 1118 ) . —On the 2 nd inst ., this loclge was consecrated by tho R . W . Bvo . T . H . Hall , Prov . G . Master , Cnmbs . Such an event has been unknoAvn at the Freemasons' Hall , since the time of the late M . W . G . M ., Bro . the Duke of Sussex * , and naturally it created great interest . The R . W . brother Avas supported by Bros . Deighton , J ) . Prov . G . M . Cambs . ; Spiers , D . Prov . G . M . Oxfordshire ; Bedford , Prov . G . Chap . ; Williamson , Prov . G . W . ; G . Clarke , G . S . ; J . Newton Tomkins , Prov . G . D . ; A . Woods , G . Dir . of Cers .: with many others , and by

Bro . S . lomkins , G . Treas ., who was installed the first W . M . of the new lodge . The consecration was most ably performed by Bro . Hall , in which lie was efficiently assisted by Bro . Bedford , and the musical arrangements conducted by Bro . D . King gave additional interest to the ceremony . The AA . M . then appointed Bro . E . T . Leith and D . W . Bruce Gardyne , his Wardens , and stated tlinfc he would defer making the other appointments until the next meeting of the loclge . After the banquet the

W . M ., in proposing the toast of the evening , "Prosperity to the University Loclge , " made a few remarks on the grand principles of the Order , showing how the duties of universal toleration and charity were inculcated and practised by all members of the Craft , and further saicl that it was a matter of regret that up to this time the Cambridge Masons had had no opportunity offered them of continuing their Masonic career in London Avithout breaking up all their old associations . This

lodge Avas instituted not only to give them this opportunity , but also that of meeting other Masons from the sister university of Oxford , as Avell as Masons of mark and influence in London . It was the union of the three that was aimed at , thus practically teaching tho lesson of universal brotherhood . The AV . M . disclaimed any feeling of rivalry with the ancient lodge AA'hich now receives the Oxford Masons removing to Londonand AVJS

, sure that there was room for both . He was told that the numbers of the Lodge No . 10 now amounted to 140 . The W . M . AVUS Avarmly cheered , and we think the lodge fortunate in having been able to secure the services of so excellent a Mason as the Grand Treasurer , and AVC heartily wish the new lodge every success .

INSTRUCTION . STEOXG MAS - LODGE or INSTH-JCTIOI * ( No . 45 ) . —This lodge of instruction which was established in 1797 , having been in abeyance since 1 S 61 , was re-opened by Bro . F . Jacob , W . M . of the lodge , assisted by his P . M ., Bro . Booser , and several of his